First Things First

This month there's yet more additions to both sections of Vista Drive.  I also changed the look, and format, of my Journal.  The new look reflects the new format.  Also, coming June 21st check out the new edition of American Bliss.  Enjoy the update.

Afterthoughts : Lost and Found

I have lost my wallet two times in my life.  Both times I've been lucky enough to recover them.  The second time I lost my wallet is a story of luck.

Years ago there was a movie that came out, JFK.  The Oliver Stone movie where Stone tried to say that everyone was in on the killing of President Kennedy.  I had heard that it was a good movie, and so did my friend.  We went up to Universal City, to the new CityWalk thing that they had there to get some dinner and watch JFK.

While getting out of the car I must have slipped, and my wallet came out of my front pocket.  Of course, I didn't know that.  Me and my friend went on our merry way to the box office talking about this and that.  When I got there I put my hand in my front pocket, and realized that I didn't have my wallet.  I turned to my friend and told him that I had lost my wallet.  He suggested we backtrack to see where I might have dropped it.  But, the place was like Time Square, filled to the brim with people.  Even if I did walk back I was pretty sure that someone had my wallet in their pocket already.  Besides, the walk from the car was a long one, and if I had dropped it, I was pretty sure I wasn't going to find my wallet.  I had some money in my back pocket, which paid for my ticket and dinner.  The only thing I was really worried about was my credit cards.

I watched the movie, all the time wondering where I could have left my wallet.  Also, I bought one of those huge gallon bucket sodas, and I had to visit the bathroom.  But, the movie was too good.  I spent nearly two hours both worrying about my wallet and holding back the nearly bursting dam that was my bladder.  As soon as the movie was over I jumped up.  But, having held it in so long I got a cramp and couldn't make a move.  I was afraid I was going to piss right then and there.  Finally I was able to move, and I flew to the bathroom.  It's such a great feeling to release that kind of pressure.

With that off my mind my friend and I went around the shops.  I didn't have a cent to my name at this point, but CityWalk doesn't really have shops that you buy things from.  Finally we decided to go home.  We walked back to the car.  As my pal was opening his door I looked down and saw my wallet peeking out from under the car.  I quickly picked it up.  I figured that someone must have seen it, picked out the money, and threw it back on the floor where they found it.  Nope.  Not a soul had seen, or touched my wallet.  Everything was there.

I turned to my friend and told him that I found my wallet.  He turned to me and said, "Talk about lucky."  I was lucky that day.  Sometimes life is really good.  Like the time I lost my wallet and found it right where I dropped it.

Editorial : You Still Love Lucy?

Did you happen to catch another one of those I Love Lucy movies last month?  What's with all these tributes to a show that was on 100 years ago, and that really wasn't all that great?

Does anyone even watch I Love Lucy anymore?  I know I don't.  And really, don't we already know about how Lucy and Desi were married, and they created the show, and that they had a couple of kids, and that Lucy wasn't thought of as a star, and that Desi cheated on her, and so on and so on?  I mean, come on already.  Do we really have to revisit this worn out story again?

Weeks ago there was a show on The Three Stooges that was hardly a tribute.  The show had a few clips, and a brief history, but really it wasn't all that great either.

There was a Honeymooners (the greatest show ever, next to the Simpsons) tribute earlier this year.  It was also a disappointment.  How come these tributes don't consider showing a whole episode of a show while throwing two hours of useless interviews with celebrities that had nothing to do with those original shows?

Do I really care what Bridget Fonda has to say about the Three Stooges?  The hell with that.  Do I really care what Chevy Chase has to say about the Honeymooners?  Most of the time on these interviews that they showcase on these tribute shows it looks like the 'star' doesn't really care about much of anything.

Sadly these tributes to the great shows of the 'Golden Age of Television' will continue.  As long as there's a time slot open, and the networks want to reminisce about old times.

Etcetera : Seriously Fun

The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker just might be the best video game ever.  It's certainly the best I've ever played.  Minutes after getting the new Zelda game I put it in my Gamecube, just for a little preview before I ate lunch.  Within two seconds I was hooked.  The opening credits drew me into a familiar place.  Lunch had to wait for more than an hour while I dove head first into this adventure... and it really is an adventure.

The Zelda series has always been about the details, and this offering is no different.  Every little thing looks absolutely beautiful.  The graphics are a departure of the block style that a lot of games have nowadays.  This version comes to us looking like a cartoon, but a wonderfully detailed one.  Even the swirls in dust clouds look beautiful in this game.

The game is challenging and fun.  Sometimes I was literally dancing in my chair while fighting some of the enemies.  This is not the kind of game that you play for a few minutes.  You really have to spend some time with this.  It really takes you to a far-off place.  I know that after playing the game I felt like I was somewhere far away.

In short, I love the new Legend of Zelda.  It's a game that I know I will play over and over again.  It's just that much fun.  If you like the Zelda series you'll love this game.  It lives up to the great Zelda games of the past.